Lighting fixture for sloped ceiling

Abstract

A recessed lighting fixture for installation in an inclined ceiling has an enclosure and a lighting assembly pivotal relative to the enclosure through a first and second range of relative angles such that an optical axis can be aligned vertically for the first and second ranges. First and second trim element are adapted for use with the first and second ranges of inclinations. The first and second trim elements have optical element aligned at different angles, and a relative angle between the optical elements and the reflector plane is less than or equal to 10 degrees. An angle indicator provides a proper relative angle of the lighting assembly and a trim indicator provides an indication of a proper trim element.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A recessed lighting fixture for installation in an inclined ceiling having an inclined ceiling panel with an opening and a support structure supporting the ceiling panel, the recessed lighting figure comprising:
 an enclosure having a bottom wall with an aperture, and the enclosure being adapted to mount to the support structure with the bottom wall parallel to and closely adjacent an interior surface of the inclined ceiling panel, and with the aperture disposed above the opening in the inclined ceiling panel; 
 a lighting assembly disposed within the enclosure and including a lighting element operable to emit light and a reflector disposed around the lighting element, the lighting assembly being adapted to emit light through the aperture, and the lighting assembly having an optical axis; 
 the reflector having a first end disposed adjacent the lighting element and having a second end forming a reflector opening and having a circumferential edge defining a reflector plane perpendicular to the optical axis; 
 the lighting assembly being pivotal relative to the enclosure in a limited range of relative angles about a pivot axis which is horizontal when the enclosure is mounted to the support structure, the limited range of relative angles including a first range of relative angles of at least 15 degrees defined by a first relative angle and a second relative angle greater than the first relative angle; 
 a first trim element adapted for use with the first range of inclinations of the inclined ceiling panel, the first trim element being configured to mount in the aperture from a room-facing side of the enclosure, the first trim element having a lower end with an opening and a radially-outwardly extending circumferential flange disposed around the opening where the circumferential flange is adapted to contact a room-facing surface of the ceiling panel around the opening, and the circumferential flange defining a first plane parallel to the room-facing surface of the inclined ceiling panel; 
 the first trim element having an upper end with a light transmitting optical element mounted thereon and disposed adjacent the lighting assembly, and the optical element being inclined relative to the first plane about an axis parallel to the pivot axis at a first acute angle within the first range of relative angles; and 
 when the lighting assembly is in the first and second relative angles, a relative angle between the optical element and the reflector plane being less than or equal to 10 degrees. 
 
     
     
       2. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 when the first trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in a first intermediate relative angle relative to the first optical element, between the first and second relative angles, the first optical element is parallel to the reflector plane. 
 
     
     
       3. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first intermediate relative angle is a midpoint between the first and second relative angles. 
 
     
     
       4. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the light fixture includes an angle indicator visible through the aperture from the room-facing side of the enclosure and adapted to indicate a proper relative angle of the lighting assembly relative to the enclosure for vertical alignment of the optical axis for a plurality of inclinations of the enclosure in the first range of inclinations; and 
 the angle indicator includes a plurality of markings fixed to one of the enclosure and the lighting assembly and includes a pointer fixed to another of the enclosure and the lighting assembly; 
 wherein the pointer is adapted to align with the markings at a particular inclination indicated by the various markings. 
 
     
     
       5. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the markings of the angle indicator include a plurality of line markings indicating various inclinations of the light fixture and include a plurality of numerical markings associated with the line markings indicating a value of an associated line marking. 
 
     
     
       6. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lighting assembly includes a bubble level fixed thereto and visible through the aperture, and the bubble level is adapted to indicate when the optical axis is aligned in a predetermined orientation. 
 
     
     
       7. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 6 , wherein: the bubble level is adapted to indicate when the optical axis is aligned in a vertical orientation. 
     
     
       8. A recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the first relative angle is at least about 14 degrees. 
     
     
       9. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture for installation in an inclined ceiling having an inclined ceiling panel with an opening and a support structure supporting the ceiling panel, the kit for the recessed lighting figure comprising:
 an enclosure having a bottom wall with an aperture, and the enclosure being adapted to mount to the support structure with the bottom wall parallel to and closely adjacent an interior surface of the inclined ceiling panel, and with the aperture disposed above the opening in the inclined ceiling panel; 
 a lighting assembly disposed within the enclosure and including a lighting element operable to emit light and a reflector disposed around the lighting element, the lighting assembly being adapted to emit light through the aperture, and the lighting assembly having an optical axis; 
 the reflector having a first end disposed adjacent the lighting element and having a second end forming a reflector opening and having a circumferential edge defining a reflector plane perpendicular to the optical axis; 
 the lighting assembly being pivotal relative to the enclosure in a limited range of relative angles about a pivot axis which is horizontal when the enclosure is mounted to the support structure, the limited range of relative angles including a first range of relative angles of at least 15 degrees defined by a first relative angle and a second relative angle greater than the first relative angle; 
 a first trim element adapted for use with the first range of inclinations of the inclined ceiling panel, the first trim element being configured to mount in the aperture from a room-facing side of the enclosure, the first trim element having a lower end with an opening and a radially-outwardly extending circumferential flange disposed around the opening where the circumferential flange is adapted to contact a room-facing surface of the ceiling panel around the opening, and the circumferential flange defining a first plane parallel to the room-facing surface of the inclined ceiling panel; 
 the first trim element having an upper end with a first optical element mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed adjacent the lighting assembly, and the first optical element being inclined relative to the first plane at a first acute angle within the first range of relative angles; 
 when first trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in the first and second relative angles, a relative angle between the first optical element and the reflector plane being less than or equal to 10 degrees; 
 the limited range of relative angles including a second range of relative angles of at least 15 degrees defined by the second relative angle and a third relative angle greater than the second relative angle; 
 a second trim element adapted for use with the second range of inclinations of the inclined ceiling panel, the second trim element being configured to mount in the aperture from the room-facing side of the enclosure, the second trim element having a lower end with an opening and a radially-outwardly extending circumferential flange disposed around the opening where the circumferential flange is adapted to contact the room-facing surface of the ceiling panel around the opening, and the circumferential flange defining a second plane parallel to the room-facing surface of the inclined ceiling panel; 
 the second trim element having an upper end with a second optical element mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed adjacent the lighting assembly, and the second optical element being inclined relative to the second plane at a second acute angle within the second range of relative angles; and 
 when the second trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in the second and third relative angles, a relative angle between the second optical element and the reflector plane being less than or equal to 10 degrees. 
 
     
     
       10. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture, as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 when the first trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in a first intermediate relative angle relative to the first optical element, between the first and second relative angles, the first optical element is parallel to the reflector plane; and 
 when the second trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in a second intermediate relative angle relative to the first optical element, between the second and third relative angles, the second optical element is parallel to the reflector plane. 
 
     
     
       11. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture, as in  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first intermediate relative angle is a midpoint between the first and second relative angles; and 
 the second intermediate relative angle is a midpoint between the second and third relative angles. 
 
     
     
       12. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the light fixture includes an angle indicator visible through the aperture from the room-facing side of the enclosure and adapted to indicate a proper relative angle of the lighting assembly relative to the enclosure for vertical alignment of the optical axis for a plurality of inclinations of the enclosure in the first and second ranges of inclinations; and 
 the angle indicator includes a plurality of markings fixed to one of the enclosure and the lighting assembly and includes a pointer fixed to another of the enclosure and the lighting assembly; 
 wherein the pointer is adapted to align with the markings at a particular inclination indicated by the various markings. 
 
     
     
       13. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the markings of the angle indicator include a plurality of line markings indicating various inclinations of the light fixture and include a plurality of numerical markings associated with the line markings indicating a value of an associated line marking. 
 
     
     
       14. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the angle indicator includes a trim indicator operable to indicate a recommended trim element from among the first and second trim elements for use for a range of relative inclination angles; 
 the trim indicator includes a first trim indication configured to indicate use of the first trim element for relative inclination angles in the first range of relative angles, and includes a second trim indication configured to indicate use of the second trim element for relative inclination angles in the second range of relative angles. 
 
     
     
       15. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first trim element includes a first trim marking comprising the first trim indication; and 
 the second trim element includes a second trim marking comprising the second trim indication. 
 
     
     
       16. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 9 , wherein the first relative angle is at least about 14 degrees. 
     
     
       17. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture for installation in an inclined ceiling having an inclined ceiling panel with an opening and a support structure supporting the ceiling panel, the kit for the recessed lighting figure comprising:
 an enclosure having a bottom wall with an aperture, and the enclosure being adapted to mount to the support structure with the bottom wall parallel to and closely adjacent an interior surface of the inclined ceiling panel, and with the aperture disposed above the opening in the inclined ceiling panel; 
 a lighting assembly disposed within the enclosure and including a lighting element operable to emit light and a reflector disposed around the lighting element, the lighting assembly being adapted to emit light through the aperture, and the lighting assembly having an optical axis; 
 the reflector having a first end disposed adjacent the lighting element and having a second end forming a reflector opening and having a circumferential edge defining a reflector plane perpendicular to the optical axis; 
 the lighting assembly being pivotal relative to the enclosure in a limited range of relative angles about a pivot axis which is horizontal when the enclosure is mounted to the support structure, the limited range of relative angles including a first range of relative angles of at least 15 degrees defined by a first relative angle and a second relative angle greater than the first relative angle; 
 a first trim element adapted for use with the first range of inclinations of the inclined ceiling panel, the first trim element being configured to mount in the aperture from a room-facing side of the enclosure, the first trim element having a lower end with an opening and a radially-outwardly extending circumferential flange disposed around the opening where the circumferential flange is adapted to contact a room-facing surface of the ceiling panel around the opening, and the circumferential flange defining a first plane parallel to the room-facing surface of the inclined ceiling panel; 
 the first trim element having an upper end with a first optical element mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed adjacent the lighting assembly, and the first optical element being inclined relative to the first plane at an angle within the first range of relative angles; 
 when first trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in the first and second relative angles, a relative angle between the first optical element and the reflector plane being less than or equal to 10 degrees; 
 the limited range of relative angles including a second range of relative angles of at least 15 degrees defined by the second relative angle and a third relative angle greater than the second relative angle; 
 a second trim element adapted for use with the second range of inclinations of the inclined ceiling panel, the second trim element being configured to mount in the aperture from the room-facing side of the enclosure, the second trim element having a lower end with an opening and a radially-outwardly extending circumferential flange disposed around the opening where the circumferential flange is adapted to contact the room-facing surface of the ceiling panel around the opening, and the circumferential flange defining a second plane parallel to the room-facing surface of the inclined ceiling panel; 
 the second trim element having an upper end with a second optical element mounted thereon and adapted to be disposed adjacent the lighting assembly, and the second optical element being inclined relative to the second plane at an angle within the second range of relative angles; 
 when the second trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in the second and third relative angles, a relative angle between the second optical element and the reflector plane being less than or equal to 10 degrees; 
 the light fixture includes an angle indicator visible through the aperture from the room-facing side of the enclosure and adapted to indicate a proper relative angle of the lighting assembly relative to the enclosure for vertical alignment of the optical axis for a plurality of inclinations of the enclosure in the first and second ranges of inclinations; 
 the angle indicator includes a plurality of markings fixed to one of the enclosure and the lighting assembly, a pointer fixed to another of the enclosure and the lighting assembly, and a trim indicator operable to indicate a recommended trim element from among the first and second trim elements for use for a range of relative inclination angles; 
 the pointer is adapted to align with the markings at a particular inclination indicated by the various markings; 
 the markings of the angle indicator include a plurality of line markings indicating various inclinations of the light fixture and include a plurality of numerical markings associated with the line markings indicating a value of an associated line marking; and 
 the trim indicator includes a first trim indication configured to indicate use of the first trim element for relative inclination angles in the first range of relative angles, and includes a second trim indication configured to indicate use of the second trim element for relative inclination angles in the second range of relative angles. 
 
     
     
       18. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first trim element includes a first trim marking comprising the first trim indication; and 
 the second trim element includes a second trim marking comprising the second trim indication. 
 
     
     
       19. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 17 , wherein:
 when the first trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in a first intermediate relative angle relative to the first optical element, between the first and second relative angles, the first optical element is parallel to the reflector plane; and 
 when the second trim element is installed and the lighting assembly is in a second intermediate relative angle relative to the first optical element, between the second and third relative angles, the second optical element is parallel to the reflector plane. 
 
     
     
       20. A kit for a recessed lighting fixture as in  claim 17 , wherein the first relative angle is at least about 14 degrees.